2002 World Series

2002 World Series It was no surprise that an American League team had once again dominated the 2002 race with powerful hitting, great defense and outstanding pitching on the mound.

It was a surprise however, that the team left standing at the end of the marathon was not the New York Yankees. The Anaheim Angels had shocked the world by knocking off the defending champions 3-1 in the Divisional Playoffs and rolling over the Minnesota Twins four-games-to-one in the Championship Series. Their opponents, the San Francisco Giants had battled to the top of the National League (with a 95-66 record) after defeating the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals in a close post-season race. Both line-ups featured top of the line sluggers, but the Nationals boasted the newest all-time single season homerun champion in Barry Bonds, who reset the total at a now staggering seventy-three.

Heaven can't wait

Angels defeat Giants for first World Series championship

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Darin Erstad caught the fly ball for the final out of Game 7, and the mayhem began.

The Anaheim Angels whooped it up like Little Leaguers, celebrating their first World Series championship with hugs, slaps and unabashed joy.

Watching it all from a dark corner of the Giants' dugout was the best hitter in the world. Barry Bonds knew this moment could have been his.

"You want the results to be different," the San Francisco star said. "They outplayed us, they deserve it. They beat us. They're world champions."

Angels' dramatic rise capped with Series rings

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- This World Series is fit for the silver screen and the stars are the never-say-die Anaheim Angels.

They came out of nowhere.

They win Game 7 with a rookie pitcher.

They beat the best hitter in the world.

And they didn't need help from a monkey.

John Lackey, Garret Anderson and the Angels made it all come true, beating Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants 4-1 Sunday night for the franchise's first championship in 42 years.